Boston Senior Home Care raises awareness for elderly

Paul Wong, the next board president of the volunteer board of directors at Boston Senior Home Care (BSHC), celebrated at a fundraiser on Nov. 7. (Image courtesy of Joanne Wong.)

By Joanne Wong

Friends and supporters of Boston Senior Home Care (BSHC) gathered at the Fairmont Copley Plaza on Nov. 7 to raise funds. The community-based organization provides care management and support services to low-income senior citizens.

Located on South Street in Chinatown, BSHC serves elders who want to remain at home for as long as possible in the Boston area, from Charlestown to Dorchester. This year marks BSHC’s 38th year of operations.

Paul Wong, who has been involved with BSHC for the past six years, is the incoming president of the volunteer board of directors. He is most excited about “furthering the connection between BSHC and the Chinese community.”

Having spent his early years in Chinatown and then in Brighton, Wong is ready to return to Chinatown and support the community. “Private nonprofits house pockets of great things being done … we are incubators and have the ability to define innovation in health care,” Wong said.He expressed hope in broadening the organization’s initiatives and reducing reliance on state aid, which makes up the majority of BSHC’s funding.

Through the silent and live auctions, guests vied for items such as tickets to sporting events and lunch with Mayor Thomas Menino. A total of $100,000 was raised and went toward the Supportive Housing Program, which provides on-site case management, health and safety checks, and opportunities for building residents to socialize with one other and feel less alone.

BSHC is dedicated to ensuring that culturally diverse senior citizens and others, particularly those of limited means, can remain in their homes or other supportive settings with dignity and independence.